2026 East St. Louis shootings
| 2026 East St. Louis shootings | |
|---|---|
1 Location of N 39th St2 Location of Samuel Gompers Homes3 Location of Jones Park | |
| Location | East St. Louis, Illinois, US |
| Date | July 11–12, 2026 |
Attack type | |
| Weapon | 9mm handgun[1] |
| Deaths | 5 |
| Injured | 2 |
| Accused | 16-year-old male and 15-year-old female |
| Charges | First degree murder |
On July 11–12, 2026, a spree shooting occurred at three locations in East St. Louis, Illinois, United States. Five members of a family were killed, and two others were injured. Two teenagers, a 16-year-old male and a 15-year-old female, were identified as suspects.[2]
The suspects were dating when the shootings occurred. The 16-year-old was charged as an adult, and the 15-year-old female was charged as a juvenile.[3]
Shootings
The shootings occurred at three locations in East St. Louis. The suspects allegedly shot and killed Cherie May on July 5 at Samuel Gompers Housing Development.[4] Between July 11–12, the suspects were cleaning related to Cherie's death, when the 15-year-old's cousin and grandmother came to the apartment, causing the 16-year-old to shoot and kill them both. He also allegedly cut off her grandmother's thumb to unlock her phone. The pair also allegedly stole a 2015 Chevy Traverse and used it to shoot another cousin at Jones Park while she was looking for them. They also shot two others, killing one. The suspects also committed a shooting occurred at N 39th Street and Summit Avenue, where one victim was killed. The suspects were spotted by Illinois State Troopers and arrested at a state park.[5]
The suspects allegedly took a 9mm handgun from the 15-year-old's mother.[6][5]
Victims
Five people were killed in the shootings, and two others were injured. The victims were family members of the female suspect. The victims were identified as 21-year-old Quentin L. Thompson, 24-year-old Devin D. May, 25-year-old Shania W. Thompson, 49-year-old Cherie L. May, and 74-year-old Patricia A. May. The 16-year-old suspect is accused of cutting off the right thumb of Patricia May, who was the grandmother of the female suspect.[7]
Investigation
Investigators found text messages sent by both of the suspects via Instagram.[8] Lamarion Smiley, who was married to one of the injured, said that their relationship was the motive for the shooting.[6]
Prosecutors plan to charge the 15-year-old as an adult. The 16-year-old was charged with first degree murder.[9] On August 12, 2026, an evaluation was ordered for the 15-year-old ahead of a hearing on whether if she'll be charged as an adult.[10]
Reactions
Nicole Hockley, the co-founder of Sandy Hook Promise released a statement on July 13, saying "No family should ever have to endure such profound loss, and our hearts are heavy as we stand with this community as they grieve and begin the long process of healing."[11]
East St. Louis City Council member Courtney Hoffman stated the shooting was not a not a random act of violence, and said, "This is not a mass shooting where you have to worry about going to the grocery store and someone opening fire."[12]
References
- ↑ "Teen charged as adult in East St. Louis shooting that killed 5, injured 2, prosecutors say". firstalert4.com. July 14, 2026.
- ↑ "Family targeted in mass shooting that left 5 dead in Illinois, police say". AP News. 2026-07-13. Retrieved 2026-07-15.
- ↑ "5 family members killed, 2 others injured in East St. Louis mass shooting; 2 teens in custody - CBS Chicago". www.cbsnews.com. 2026-07-13. Retrieved 2026-07-15.
- ↑ "Teen couple charged in East St. Louis, Illinois shootings that killed 5 family members at 3 locations - CBS Chicago". www.cbsnews.com. 2026-07-15. Retrieved 2026-07-16.
- 1 2 Wachter, Rheanna; Stahl, Shoshana (2026-07-15). "Teen tried as adult in ESTL mass shooting makes first court appearance". firstalert4.com. Retrieved 2026-07-28.
- 1 2 "New details, possible motive revealed in southern IL killings of 5 relatives". ABC7 Chicago. 2026-07-15. Retrieved 2026-07-29.
- ↑ Held, Kevin S. (July 14, 2026). "East St. Louis mass shooting: Teen charged with murders, cutting off victim's thumb". FOX 2. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
- ↑ Wachter, Rheanna; Stahl, Shoshana; staff, Gray News (2026-07-17). "'I love blood': Officials reveal texts between teens accused of killing 5 family members". mysuncoast.com. Retrieved 2026-08-13.
- ↑ Mendoza, Kamryn (August 1, 2026). "East St. Louis community calls for peace after mass shooting". Fox 2. Retrieved August 12, 2026.
- ↑ Lammert, Madison; Cortes, Lexi (August 14, 2026). "Evaluation ordered for East St. Louis teen charged in shootings that targeted family". Belleville News-Democrat. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
- ↑ "Sandy Hook Promise Statement on Targeted Mass Shooting of East St. Louis Family". Sandy Hook Promise. Retrieved 2026-08-19.
- ↑ AP (2026-08-17). "Five dead in mass shooting in East St. Louis". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 2026-08-19.